Abstract: A drill steel support assembly for a mining roof bolting machine is presented. The assembly is utilized for retaining and guiding a drill steel on a roof bolting machine during the collaring of the drill steel in the mine roof. Once collared, the drill steel is released by the retaining assembly inasmuch as the latter is not necessary for support purposes after collaring has occurred. The release of the drill steel from the retaining assembly is accomplished when the vibrations from the drill steel are sufficient to open the support mechanism once the drill has been collared.

Abstract: This invention concerns plastic lids and pails having improved child-proof locking features. Intermittently placed teeth-like elements located on the pail and lid interlock to prevent the easy opening of the assembled pail and lid.

Abstract: A method of aligning each of the rolls in a rolling mill such that each of the axes of rotation are substantially parallel to one another and do not present a crossed-roll condition. The alignment method does not involve the disassembly of the chock arrangement and associated bearings, but utilizes the determination of a special orientation of each of the lateral chock face planes with respect to the axis of rotation of the associated roll. Once this spacial orientation has been determined, it is then utilized in the analysis of the chock, roll and bearing tolerances and alignment and in the selective placement of necessary corrective spacing elements between the lateral chock face planes and their support within the rolling mill to physically adjust the chock face plane and the axis of rotation of the associated roll such that each of the axes of rotation of each roll are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A duct and flop-gate construction for handling particulate material and a method of handling dust or other particulate material. The collected material drops down a duct which contains a flop-gate for directing the material to either of two bins. A mild current of air is drawn upwardly through the duct and flop-gate counter to the movement of the material to subject the bins to negative pressure and prevent outward leakage. The same duct serves both to carry material downwardly to the bins and as a means for applying negative pressure to the bins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging freshly reduced material from a shaft furnace and controlling release of spent reducing gases so that they are not a hazard. The apparatus includes a pair of surge bins and means for directing material selectively to either bin. Gas-seal valves having purge means are located above the respective bins. Gas-seal flapper valves are located below and are movable to positions wholly out of the path of material discharging from the bins.

Abstract: A permanent dwelling adapted to receive and functionally couple with a mobile home having at least kitchen and bathroom facilities. The permanent dwelling is characterized in being devoid of plumbing facilities, thereby resulting in a substantial decrease in the costs of building and upkeep. Configured as such, the dwelling may be left in severe weather conditions without drainage of pipes and the like and may be "reopened" without the commensurate problems of restarting the water supply thereto.

Abstract: A temperature probe measures temperature changes within biological material while the tissue is being irradiated with microwaves. In order to measure tissue temperatures accurately a probe must be designed to function in a microwave field while causing minimum perturbation to the microwave field. This generally requires a probe being constructed of dielectric (non-metallic) material which utilizes physical phenomena which are thermally dependent yet unaffected by electromagnetic fields at the field strength and frequencies of interest. In one embodiment the structure of the probe basically includes an optical fiber bundle for conducting light both toward and away from a temperature sensitive luminescent element located at one end of the optical fiber bundle, the source for exciting the temperature sensitive element and a light responsive detection element located at the output end of the optical fiber bundle for detecting light emitted from the temperature sensitive element which is temperature dependent.

Abstract: A gravity-operated latch permits a secure closure for a cover on a loaded poultry shipping crate. The latch flips open, permitting the cover to open, in a sequence coinciding with the sequence of efficient orientation of the crate as the crate is turned and dumped. At the conclusion of the full 360.degree. dumping operation, the latch is relocked and the crate is ready for reshipment.

Abstract: A graphite lubricant system for applying a coating of the lubricant to successive mandrels in a seamless pipe mill just prior to their insertion therein. The system provides for the selective application of the smokeless lubricant to the mandrels before they are inserted within the seamless pipe shell and both are run into the mill itself. In order to prevent the lubricant from clogging, the system includes a self-flushing arrangement which provides a cleaning function thereto when the system has been inactive for a given amount of time.

Abstract: A searching method for optimizing the rate of penetration of a drill into a given medium based upon the two drilling parameters of thrust and speed of revolution. Preset base values of both parameters are input into the drilling control mechanism at the start of the process. Thereafter, based upon readings from an automatic penetration rate calculator, incremental changes are automatically made to one of the parameters, the other being held constant, until a maximized rate of penetration is established. Subsequently, the other parameter, previously held constant, is changed until a new maximized penetration rate is found. This optimized penetration rate searching is continuously and automatically effected until the drilling process is completed. The method additionally provides for the allowance of a wait period between successive incremental changes for accommodating response times of the system as well as instabilities which may occur as the result of nonlinear process dynamics.

Abstract: An apparatus employed in the searching of the optimized rate of penetration of a drill into a given medium based upon the two drilling parameters of thrust and speed of revolution. Preset base values of both parameters are input into the drilling control mechanism at the start of drilling. Thereafter, based upon readings from an automatic penetration rate calculator, the apparatus effects automatic incremental changes to one of the parameters, the other being held constant, until a maximized rate of penetration is established. Subsequently, the other parameter, previously held constant, is changed until a new maximized penetration rate is found. This optimized penetration rate searching is continuously and automatically effected until the drilling process is completed. The apparatus additionally provides for the allowance of a wait period between successive incremental changes for accommodating response times of the system as well as instabilities which may occur as the result of nonlinear process dynamics.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dynamically determining average gage of continuous sheet material passing about a work roll for subsequent winding or coiling upon a take-up reel. The apparatus includes pulse tachometers for both the work roll, of known diameter, as well as the take-up reel. A comparison of the angular velocity of both the work roll and take-up reel results in a precise velocity ratio for a given period of time. The ratio, when taken in conjunction with the revolutions of the take-up reel, is then used within a digital logic apparatus for determining the change in coil diameter for the given time period, thereby resulting in the average gage of the continuous sheet material wound upon the take-up reel for that given time period. Strip length may also be calculated by the same apparatus.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt apparatus is employed for moving raw materials which are characterized in having fines associated therewith from one point to another. The apparatus includes a silicone-emulsion spraying device for applying an aqueous solution of the silicone-emulsion to the material supporting side of the endless belt in sufficient concentrations to promote the release of the fines from the belt when the material being conveyed is dumped, thereby preventing the undesirable build-up of fines on return idler rolls and beneath the belt at points along the belt's return path.

Abstract: A graphite lubricant system for applying a coating of the lubricant to successive mandrels in a seamless pipe mill just prior to their insertion therein. The system provides for the selective application of the smokeless lubricant to the mandrels before they are inserted within the seamless pipe shell and both are run into the mill itself. In order to prevent the lubricant from clogging, the system includes a self-flushing arrangement which provides a cleaning function thereto when the system has been inactive for a given amount of time.

Abstract: A multiple caged tapered strength armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced throughout its entire tapered strength length. The selective strength tapering of the cable permits the orientation of the cable such that the strongest portion thereof will support the entire cable and the weakest portion thereof will support only itself and whatever instrumentation is desirable.

Abstract: A multiple caged armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced and strength tapered throughout its entire length. The cable is configured having selectively formed elements within the caged armored layers for retaining individual wires in the armored layers statically without appreciable friction between layers.

Abstract: A multiple caged armored electromechanical cable is provided which is characterized in being torque balanced and strength tapered throughout its entire length. The selective strength tapering of the cable permits the orientation of the cable such that the strongest portion thereof will support the entire cable and the weakest portion thereof will support only itself and whatever instrumentation is desirable. A slip sleeve mechanism is provided for retaining portions of the strength tapered elements of the cable to prevent inadvertant electrical shorting as well as providing for a relative slippage of the tapered strength elements with respect to select other elements of the cable.

Abstract: A method employed in the spacing and gapping the product containing rollers contained within a plurality of continuous casting discharge racks. Both the method, and apparatus with which the method is employed, insure the accurate gapping of the discharge rack rollers from a specific centerline, the latter being in a given spacial relationship with a given benchmark located upon the rack per se such that the centerlines of a plurality of such racks are collinearly aligned when positioned using their respective benchmarks within a continuous casting machine.

Abstract: A fluid actuated sealing arrangement is provided for use in conjunction with a rotatable member. The arrangement utilizes an actuating fluid for both biasing a rotatable sealing element of the sealing arrangement into sealing association with a portion of the rotatable member and for providing the necessary lubrication to the rotatable sealing element. The sealing arrangement is configured to provide a loading force to the sealing element which is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotatable member. In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the sealing element is adapted to seal a surface substantially normal thereto which is formed as an extension of the rotatable element being sealed.

Abstract: A low emission multiple sealing system for a floating roof liquid hydrocarbon storage tank is provided. The sealing system utilizes a double sealing arrangement in addition to, in a preferred embodiment, a conventional weather seal. The double sealing arrangement includes two functionally independent generally toroidal shaped sealing elements positioned one above the other and filling the annular gap between the floating roof and the inner surface of the storage tank. In order to provide for increased sealing efficiency and to eliminate the deleterious effects of wind and other ambient conditions, the double sealing elements are configured having effective vapor sealing efficiencies and are separated from one another a distance which will maximize the runback, to the tank, of liquid left on the inner storage tank wall during diurnal contraction and/or on liquid hydrocarbon unloadings.